The Investigator is an intellectual and highly-skilled explorer. They solve the toughest mysteries using a mixture of magic, martial skills, and modern technology.
Investigators in the Torchlight Society work as special agents, investigating magical crimes and working undercover to keep a close eye on Rogue mages. They train in Hypnotism to modify the memories of anyone who suspects them, or who simply knows too much. Some also work as paranormal investigators, researching reported hauntings and other anomalous activity while telling a convincing story to the general populace.
With a wide array of martial skills, investigators are opportunistic and quick. They prefer to get what they need covertly, either by stealth or by simply blending into their surroundings.
Difficulty | ★★☆ Intermediate |
Hit Point Increment | 3 or 1d4 + your CON modifier per Special Agent level |
Magic Training |
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Natural Skills |
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You take what you need by stealth. You scout ahead for potential danger and hope to avoid confrontation by getting in and out as quickly as possible. You use both your martial and magical skills to defeat security measures. You might "scope out" an area ahead of time to gain information on how best to get in.
You're an expert in social engineering. You can quickly come up with convincing stories to get out of danger and put guards at ease. You know that if you simply look like you belong, most people won't suspect you're up to anything.
You dash in and out of sight, attacking your enemies while their backs are turned before darting back into the shadows. You might use your Psionic Magic to incapacitate your enemies quickly and escape rather than fighting them head-on.
You spend time researching the people and locations you're planning to infiltrate to look for useful information that might help you.
When creating a leveled character that starts with this class, consult the Investigator Starting Equipment table to determine what items you start with. You receive all of the items listed for your starting level and all levels below it. You can choose to replace any number of items with their equivalent value in credits (CR).
Level | Feature | Sneak Attack Damage | Proficiency Bonus | Caster Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Investigator Specialties, Sneak Attack, Firearms License | 1d4 | 0 | |
2 | Learning Experience, Specialty Improvement | 1d4 | 0 | |
3 | Natural Skill Improvement | 1d6 | 0 | |
4 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d6 | 0 | |
5 | Spellcasting, Spell Studies | 1d8 | 1 | |
6 | Evasion Proficiency | 1d8 | +1 | 1 |
7 | Specialty Improvement, Spell Studies | 1d8 | +1 | 2 |
8 | Investigator Archetype, Natural Skill Improvement | 1d10 | +1 | 2 |
9 | Ability Score Improvement | 1d10 | +2 | 2 |
10 | Covert Spellcasting, Learning Experience | 1d10 | +2 | 2 |
11 | Natural Skill Improvement, Spell Studies | 1d12 | +2 | 3 |
12 | Archetype Feature, Investigator Bonus | 1d12 | +3 | 3 |
13 | Specialty Improvement, Learning Experience | 1d12 | +3 | 3 |
14 | Spell Studies, Ability Score Improvement | 3d4 | +3 | 4 |
15 | Expert Sneak | 3d4 | +4 | 4 |
16 | Archetype Feature, Natural Skill Improvement | 2d8 | +4 | 4 |
17 | Investigator Bonus, Specialty Improvement | 2d8 | +5 | 4 |
18 | Silent Killer, Spell Studies | 4d4 | +5 | 5 |
19 | Ability Score Improvement | 4d4 | +5 | 5 |
20 | Archetype Feature, Learning Experience | 2d10 | +6 | 5 |
21 | Natural Skill Improvement, Investigator Bonus | 2d10 | +6 | 5 |
22 | Nimble Fighter, Specialty Improvement | 5d4 | +7 | 5 |
23 | Ability Score Improvement, Spell Studies | 3d8 | +7 | 6 |
24 | Clandestine Operations | 6d4 | +7 | 6 |
25 | Learning Experience, Specialty Improvement | 3d10 | +8 | 6 |
26 | Archetype Feature, Spell Studies | 5d6 | +8 | 7 |
27 | Natural Skill Improvement, Investigator Bonus | 4d8 | +9 | 7 |
28 | Ability Score Improvement, Specialty Improvement | 3d12 | +9 | 7 |
29 | Investigator Bonus, Spell Studies | 2d20 | +9 | 8 |
30 | Shadow Fighter | 3d20 | +10 | 8 |
At Level 1, gain four Natural Skills from the Investigator's Natural Skills list. Then choose up to four of the following specialties and gain 1 level in each of them.
The Investigator is trained in the art of attacking with the element of surprise. Starting at Level 1, you can perform a Sneak Attack on a target.
In order to make a surprise attack, you must be sneaking and hidden from the target. The target detects you whether you hit or miss. On a hit, the attack deals additional damage equal to your Sneak Attack Damage for your current level in the Investigator Table. In addition, the target is staggered for one frame when hit by a surprise attack.
A sneak attack can be performed unarmed or with any weapon, but firearms that produce a loud noise will immediately make all other enemies within earshot suspicious.
More Info: Firearms Licenses
Investigators use firearms to defend themselves on the job. If you start a leveled campaign as an Investigator, you have a Class I firearms license.
At each level you receive this bonus, choose one of your knowledges and increase its level by 1, or gain 1 point in a new knowledge subject of your choice. If your Intelligence score is 15 or greater, you may do this twice each time you receive this bonus. If it's 20 or greater, you may do this three times.
Knowledges can't be increased beyond 10 at any level.
At each level you receive this bonus, choose one of your specialties and increase its level by 1. Specialties can't be increased above 3.
If you don't have any specialties that can be improved when you receive this bonus, you may gain 1 point in a new specialty of your choice..
At each level you receive this bonus, increase each of your natural skills by one level.
This feature can't increase any skill higher than 7 unless you're level 20 or higher. This feature cannot be used to become Legendary.
TIP: To increase a skill beyond 7 at an earlier level, use the Skill Improvement General Feat.
At each level where you receive this bonus, increase one of your ability scores by 2, or two different scores by 1 each.
Ability scores can't be increased above 20 using this feature until your overall level reaches 15, and no ability score can be increased above 30 at any level.
After updating your score, be sure to update the relevant modifiers, including skills and other calculated stats that factor in the increased scores.
At Level 5, you may begin to learn and cast spells. Increase your caster level to 1.
Assign initial values to your magical skills. As an Investigator, you have 3 points to spend on these skills, and you can choose from the forms that are a part of your training (Psionic, Physical, and Temporal.)
At each level where you receive this bonus, you may learn new spells from the Spell Study Guide. This usually, but not always, occurs at each level where your caster level increases.
You may choose to learn a spell of lesser rarity with this ability. For example, whenever you have the option to learn a Rare spell, you may choose to learn an Uncommon or Common spell instead. If you do, you lose the opportunity to learn a Rare spell at that level.
Starting at level 6, you learn to keep your guard up in combat and avoid attacks. Add your Proficiency Bonus to Dodge (Agility) checks and Reflex saves. Your Proficiency Bonus increases with your level according to the Investigator table.
At Level 8, choose one of the three Investigator Archetypes. Your choice will shape how you hone your vast skill set as you level up.
You gain additional features from your archetype at levels 12, 16, 20, and 26.
Starting at Level 10, you've mastered the art of casting spells subtly and silently. You can cast Stealthy spells while sneaking without suffering the circumstance penalty for stealth actions.
At each level where you receive this bonus, choose one of the following benefits that you haven't chosen before.
You learn to think on your feet and make snap decisions while dealing with multiple threats. At Level 14, you gain a second reaction frame on each round in combat.
At Level 22, you gain a third reaction frame.
At Level 15, you learn the art of moving quickly but silently. You move at your full speed while sneaking, and you gain the ability to Sprint as a stealthy action.
At Level 18, you can eliminate targets without alerting others. Whenever your Sneak Attack delivers a lethal hit, you instantly silence the target and remain sneaking.
You've mastered the art of keeping quiet while performing the most complex tasks. Starting at Level 24, you can perform any action or cast any spell stealthily. (You won't automatically alert nearby enemies, but if the action results in a loud noise or other noticeable event, enemies may still take notice.)
No one sees you coming. At Level 30, you gain the following benefits:
Items with the ⬆ Upgrade symbol can be purchased any number of times.
Items with multiple tiers must be purchased in order (starting with tier 1.)
Sneak attacks with enchanted weapons increase the damage dealt by Augment enchantments rather than the weapon's normal damage.
Gain a +5 bonus to your perception difficulty when speaking while hidden.
Prerequisite: 16 Strength
You've practiced entering secure locations in unexpected ways. Increase your speed by 2, and gain Athletics as a natural skill.
Prerequisite: 16 Dexterity, Investigator Level 5
Instead of feinting to confuse your opponent and attack them, you can force them to overextend on their attack.
When you use the Feint (Deception) action for the first time each turn, you gain an opportunity attack on a regular success and two opprtunity frames on a critical success.
Prerequisite: Investigator Level 10
You receive an opportunity frame whenever an enemy moves out of your reach.
Prerequisite: Investigator Level 12
When using any kind of magic detection, you know the level and school(s) of magic used, as well as the complexity.
Prerequisite: 18 Dexterity, Investigator Level 12
Whenever you succeed on a Dodge action and another enemy is within your reach, you can have the attack hit that creature instead.
Prerequisite: Investigator Level 20
Whenever you receive opportunity frames or attacks, you receive double that number instead.
Items with the ⬆ Upgrade symbol can be purchased any number of times.
Tiered | Name | Cost | Requirements | Details |
Art of the Blade | ✪50 | Details ▶ | ||
Arcane Blade | ✪50 | Details ▶ | ||
Trap Inspector | ✪80 | Details ▶ | ||
Hushed Voices | ✪60 | Details ▶ | ||
Superior Mobility | ✪100 | 16 Strength | Details ▶ | |
Overextending Feint | ✪90 | 16 Dexterity, Investigator Level 5 | Details ▶ | |
You're Not Going Anywhere | ✪150 | Investigator Level 10 | Details ▶ | |
Artifact Investigation | ✪70 | Investigator Level 12 | Details ▶ | |
Redirecting Dodge | ✪100 | 18 Dexterity, Investigator Level 12 | Details ▶ | |
Opportunistic | ✪200 | Investigator Level 20 | Details ▶ |